Hildegard 2006 Version

James Wood

Hildegard 2006 version

Text

2006 version is complete except for the omission of Vision 3 - The Devil (Act I - Scene 9), which is only appropriate in a fully staged version.

1 Notes:

Texts in CAPS: from the Lingua Ignota (Unbekannte Sprache, or Unknown Language) (the language in which Hildegard claimed to have received her visions)

Source: Wörterbuch der unbekannten Sprache (Lingua Ignota), translated into latin, Mittelhochdeutsch and Hochdeutsch by Dr. Marie-Louise Portmann and Alois Odermatt.

Latin texts in the Visions: from Hildegard's ﬁ rst book of Visions, Scivias, or "Know the Way"

Ordo Virtutum texts from Hildegard's Ordo Virtutum

Texts from the Letters to and from Hildegard: Source: Hildegardis Bingensis epistolarium (L. Van Acker): English translations by the composer

Biblical texts from: The Order of the Burial of the Dead (Act 1 - scenes 1 - 3) The Order for the consecration of a church (Act 2 - scenes 1) Psalms of David The Revelation of St. John

Other latin texts: Veni ceator Spiritus: Anon (9th Century) O Jerusalem: Sequence by Hildegard (Act 1 - scene 11 and Act 2 - scene 1) Ave Generosa: Sequence by Hildegard (Vision 5 - Virginitas) Veni ad nos! (V(Visionision 4 - Ediﬁ ce of Salvation) by the James Wood; latin translation by Peter Brown. Locus iste (Gradual for the Dedication of a Church)

James Wood

2 Admission of Hildegard Act 1 - scene 1 Bishop Otto: Bishop Otto: Ego sum resurrectio et vita: qui credit in me, etiam I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes mortuus fuerit, vivet: et omnis qui vivit et credit in me, in me, though he were dead, will live: and all who live non morietur in aeternum. (John:11:25) and believe in me shall never die.

Choir: Choir: Veni, creator Spiritus, Come, creator spirit, Mentes tuorum visita, visit the souls of your devoted; Imple superna gratia with your divine grace ﬁ ll Quae tu creasti pectora: the hearts which you have created.

Hildegard: Hildegard: Suscipe me, domine, secundum eloquium tuum, et Sustain me according to your word, so that I may vivam, live; and do not confound my expectations. et non confundas me ab exspectatione mea. (Ps. 119 (118): 116)

Choir: Choir: In paradisum deducant angeli, in tuo adventu May angels lead you to paradise, may martyrs suscipiant te martyres et perducant te in civitatem sustain you in your coming and lead you to the Holy sanctam Jerusalem. City of Jerusalem.

Hildegard: Hildegard: Haec requies mea in saeculum saeculi; Here will I stay forever; Hic habitabo, quoniam elegi eam. (Ps. 132(131):14) this is the home I have chosen.

Hildegard contemplates alone in her cell Act 1 - scene 2

Ordo virtutum

Bishop Otto: Bishop Otto: Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris, vidit lucem The people that walked in darkness have seen a magnam; habitantibus in regione umbrae mortis, lux great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow orta est eis. (Is 9:2) of death, upon them has the light shined.

Virtutes: Virtues: O infelix conscientia, o misera anima, quare Unhappy state of mind, oh poor Anima, why do you abscondis faciem tuam coram creatore tuo? hide your face in the presence of your Creator?

Scientia Dei: Knowledge of God: Tu nescis, nec vides, nec sapis illum qui te constituit. You do not know or see or taste the One who has set you here.

Anima illa: Soul: (female soloist from choir) Deus creavit mundum: non facio illi iniuriam sed volo God created the world: I’m doing him no injury - I uti illo! only want to enjoy it!

Strepitus Diaboli ad Animam illam: Devil, shouting at Soul: Fatue, fatue quid prodest tibi laborare? Respice What use to you is toiling foolishly? Look to the mundum, et amplectetur te magno honore. world: it will embrace you with great honour.

Virtutes: Virtues: O plangens vox est hec maximi doloris! Is this not a plangent voice of the greatest sorrow? Ach, ach, [...] Luge, luge ergo in his, Innocentia, Ah, [...] Mourn for this, mourn, Innocence, you who que in pudore bono integritatem non amisisti, et que lost no perfection in your fair modesty, who did not avaritiam gutturis antiqui serpentis ibi non devorasti. devour greedily, with the belly of the serpent of old.

3 Admission of Richardis and Hiltrud Act 1 - scene 3

Bishop Otto: Bishop Otto: Vade, populus meus, intra in cubicula tua; Come, my people, enter your chamber, claudia ostia tua super te, close the door on yourselves: abscondere modicum ad momentum, hide yourselves as it were for a little moment, donec pertranseat indignatio. (Is.26:20) until the indignation is past.

Choir: Choir: Qui Paraclitus diceris, You are called Comforter, Donum Dei altissimi, gift of the highest God, Fons vivus, ignis, caritas, found of life, ﬁ re, love, Et spiritalis unctio. and spiritual unction.

Richardis and Hildtrud: Richardis and Hildtrud: Suscipe me secundum eloquium tuum, et vivam, Sustain me according to your word, so that I may et non confundas me ab exspectatione mea. live; and do not confound my expectations. (Ps. 119 (118): 116)

Choir: Choir: In paradisum deducant angeli; May angels lead you to paradise...

Hildegard: Hildegard: Quo ibo a spiritu tuo? How can I go from your spirit? Et quo a facie tua refugiam? Where can I hide from your presence?

Richardis and Hiltrud: Richardis and Hiltrud: Haec requies mea in saeculum saeculi; Here will I stay forever;

Hildegard: Hildegard: Si ascendero in caelum, tu illic es; If I go up into heaven you are there; Si descendero in infernum, ades. If I go down to hell, you are there also.

Richardis and Hiltrud: Richardis and Hiltrud: Hic habitabo, quoniam elegi eam. (Ps 132 (131):14) this is the home I have chosen.

Bishop Otto: Bishop Otto: Vivent mortui tui, interfecti mei resurgent. Your dead men shall live, together with my dead body they shall arise.

Choir: Choir: Domine, probasti me, et cognovisti me; O Lord, you have searched me out, and known me; tu cognovisti sessionem meam et resurrectionem you know my sitting down and my rising up, meam. Intellexisti cogitationes meas de longe; you understand my thoughts long before; semitam meam et funiculum meum investigasti; you investigate all my comings and goings; Et omnes vias meas praevidisti, you forsee all my ways, even those not spoken about Quia non est sermo in lingua mea. with my tongue. Ecce, Domine, tu cognovisti omnia, novissima et For behold, O Lord, you know everything, the newest antigua. (Ps 139 (138):1) and the oldest,

Bishop Otto: Bishop Otto: Expergiscimini, et laudate, Awake and sing praises, qui habitatis in pulvere, you that dwell in the dust: quia ros lucis ros tuus, for your dew is the dew of light, et terram gigantum detrahes in ruinam. and the earth shall cast out the dead. (Is. 26.19)

Hildegard and other voices: Hildegard and other voices: Quo ibo a spiritu tuo? How can I go from your spirit? Et quo a facie tua refugiam? Where can I hide from your presence? Si ascendero in caelum, tu illic es; If I go up into heaven you are there; Si descendero in infernum, ades. If I go down to hell, you are there also. Si sumpsero pennas meas diluculo, If I grow my own wings and go to dwell in the Et habitavero in extremis maris, etenim, illuc manus remotest parts of the sea; even there shall your hand tua deducet me, et tenebit me dextera tua. shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 4 The One Enthroned VISION 1 Act 1 - scene 4 Choir: Choir: Vidi quasi montem magnum ferreum colorem... I saw a great mountain the color of iron... super ipsum quendam tantae claritatis sedentem, enthroned on it One of such great glory that it blinded ...claritas ipsius visum meum reverberaret... my sight.

LIMIX Light ZUZIL Soft TONZIZ Shadow

De quo ab utraque parte sui lenis umbra velut ala On each side of him there extended a soft shadow, latitudinis et longitudinis extendebatur. like a wing of wondrous breadth and length.

LIMIX Light ZAINZ Child LUZEIA Eyes TONZIZ Shadow

Et ante ipsum ad radicem eiusdem montis quaedam Before him, at the front of the mountain, stood an imago undique plena oculis stabat, cuius nullam image full of eyes on all sides, in which, because of humanam formam prae ipsis oculis discernere valebam, those eyes, I could discern no human form.

ZIMZIAL youngster

Voice of Hildegard: Voice of Hildegard: Et ante istam imago alia puerilis aetatis, pallida tunica In front of this image stood another, a child wearing a sed albis calceamentis induta, super cuius caput tunic of subdued color but white shoes, upon whose tanta claritas de eodem super montem ipsum sedente head such glory descended from the One enthroned descendit ut faciem eius intueri non possem. upon that mountain that I could not look at its face.

Choir: Choir: ZAINZ child ZIMZIAL youngster DULSIELZ face MILIZAMIZ image HOIL head INIMOIS man TIZZIA alb

Sed ab eodem qui super montem illum sedebat multae But from the One who sat enthroned upon that viventes scintillae exierunt, quae easdem imagines mountain many living sparks sprang forth, which ﬂ ew magna suavitate circumvolabant. In ipso autem monte very sweetly around the images. Also I perceived in quasi plurimae fenestellae videbantur, in quibus velut this mountain many little windows, in which appeared capita hominum quaedam pallida et quaedam alba human heads, some of subdued colors and some apparuerunt. white.

Et ecce idem qui super montem illum sedebat fortissima And behold, He who was enthroned upon that et acutissima voce clamabat dicens: mountain cried out in a strong, loud voice saying,

'O homo, quae fragilis es de pulvere terrae et cinis de "O human, who are fragile dust of the earth and cinere, clama et dic de introitu incorruptae salvationis, ashes of ashes! Cry out and speak of the origin quatenus hi erudiantur qui medullam litterarum videntes of pure salvation until those people are instructed, eam nec dicere nec praedicare volunt, quia tepidi et who, though they see the inmost contents of the hebetes ad conservandam iustitiam Dei sunt, quibus Scriptures, do not wish to tell them or preach them, clausuram mysticorum resera quam ipsi timidi in because they are luke-warm or sluggish in serving abscondito agro sine fructu celant. Ergo in fontem God's justice. Unlock for them the enclosure of abundantiae ita dilatare et ita in mystica eruditione myteries that they, timid as they are, conceal in a effl ue, ut illi ab effusione irrigationis tuae concutiantur qui hidden or fruitless fi eld. Burst forth into a fountain of te propter praevaricationem Evae volunt contemptibilem abundance and overfl ow with mystical knowledge, esse. Nam tu acumen huius profunditatis ab homine non until they who now think you contemptible because capis, sed a superno et tremendo iudice illud desuper of Eve's transgression are stirred up by the fl ood of 5 accipis, ubi praeclara luce haec serenitas inter your irrigation. For you have received your profound lucentes fortiter lucebit. insight not from humans, but from the lofty and tremendous Judge on high, where this calmness will shine strongly with glorious light among the shining ones.

Surge ergo, clama et dic quae tibi fortissima virtute "Arise therefore, cry out and tell what is shown to you divini auxilii manifestantur, by the strong power of God's help,

FRENS whirlwind quoniam ille qui omnii creaturae suae potenter for He Who rules every creature in might and et benigne imperat, ipsum timentes et ipsi suavi kindness ﬂ oods those who fear Him and serve Him dilectione in spiritu humilitatis famulantes claritate in sweet love and humility with the glory of heavenly supernae illustrationis perfundit et ad gaudia enlightenment and leads those who persevere in the aeternae visionis in via iustitiae perseverantes way of justice to the joys of the Eternal Vision." perducit.' Hildegard suffers illnesses from fear of revealing visions 1.5 Act 1 - scene1.5 5

Ordo virtutum

Virtutes: Virtues: O Timor... O Fear...

Diabolus: Devil: Euge! euge! quis est tantus timor? Bravo! Bravo! What is this great fear? et quis est tantus amor? and what is this great love?

Virtutes: Virtues: valde utilis es nobis: you can help us greatly:

Diabolus: Devil: Ubi est pugnator, et ubi est remunerator? Where is the champion? Where the prize-giver? Vos nescitis quid colitis. You don’t know what you are worshipping!

Virtutes: (ad Spes) Virtues (to Spes): O serena, speculata... Oh serene one, mirror-like...

Spes: Hope: Ego sum dulcis conspectrix viventis oculi, quam I am the sweet beholder of the living eye, I whom fallax torpor non decipit - unde vos, o tenebre, non no dissembling torpor can deceive. Darkness, you potestis me obnubilare. cannot cloud my gaze!

Timor Dei: Fear-of-God: Ego Timor Dei vos felicissimas ﬁ lias preparo, ut I, Fear-of-God, can prepare blissful daughters to inspiciatis in deum vivum, et non pereatis. gaze upon the living God and not die of it.

Fides: Faith: Ego Fides, speculum vite: venerabiles ﬁ lie, venite ad I am Faith, the mirror of life: worthy daughters, come me et ostendo vobis fontem salientem. to me and I shall show you the leaping fountain.

Obedientia: Obedience: Ego lucida Obedientia - venite ad me, pulcherrime I am shining Obedience - come to me, lovely ﬁ lie, et reducam vos ad patriam et ad osculum regis. daughters, and I will lead you to your homeland and to the kiss of the King.

Virtutes: Virtues: O Timor, valde utilis es nobis: Oh Fear, you can help us greatly: O vivens vita, et O suavis consolatrix, tu mortifera Living life, gentle, consolling one, you overcome the mortis vincis et vidente oculo clausuram celi aperis. deadly shafts of death and with your seeing eye lay heaven’s gate open.

6 Hildegard seeks guidance Act 1 - scene 6 Hildegard, to Pope Voice of Hildegard, to Pope Eugenius Eugenius

O pater, Eugeni. O father, Eugenius.

Prepara scripturam hanc prepare this writing for O gentle father Eugenius, poor little creature that ad auditum me the hearing of those who I am, I write to you here about a true, mystically suscipientium, support me; inspired vision, which God has seen ﬁ t to reveal to et fac illam viridem make it vigorous with the me. in suco suavis ... juice of sweet fruits, et radicem ramorum a root for the branches O illustrious father, through your delegates you have et volans folium ... and a leaf to ﬂ y... come to me, as God has preordained; you have et vives in eternum. and you will have eternal seen some of my descriptions of true visions shown life. to me by the Living Light, and in your wisdom have embraced them.

Although much of this writing is ﬁ nished, that same ﬁ re has never deserted me – it burns in my soul just as it has always done since my childhood. Therefore I send you these writings with all the true encouragement of God.

And my spirit desires that the Light of Light shine in you, so that your eyes may be puriﬁ ed and your spirit awakened to the work of this scripture; thereby your soul will be crowned, as is pleasing to God. For there are many people, wise in worldly matters but lacking in their own conviction, who disparage these writings and dismiss me, poor little creature formed from a rib and unversed in philosophical matters. …

So He who is the Living Light says again to you: prepare this writing for the hearing of those who support me; make it vigorous with the juice of sweet fruits, a root for the branches and a leaf to ﬂ y in the face of the devil, and you will have eternal life. Beware of spurning these holy mysteries, whose destiny is inevitable - they lie hidden and have not yet been revealed. May the fragrance be sweet in you, and may you not grow weary on the straight way.

7 The Armies of Angels VISION 2 Act 1 - scene 7

Pope Eugenius (reading aloud): Pope Eugenius (reading aloud): Deinde vidi in altitudine caelestium secretorum duas Then I saw in the secret places in the heights of acies supernorum spirituum multa claritate fulgentes, Heaven two armies of heavenly spirits who shone with great brightness.

Choir: Choir: una acie... one army

GLOSINZ army

Pope Eugenius: Pope Eugenius: ...ita ut qui in una acie erant velut pennas in Those in one of the armies had on their breasts pectoribus suis habebant et facies ut facies hominum wings, with forms like human forms in front of them, in se praetendebant, in quibus et vultus hominum on which human features showed as if in clear water. quasi in pura aqua apparebant;

Choir: Choir: una acie... one army

AUIZEL, GLOSINZ water, army LIMIX light LIMIX, BANZIAZ, BURBEISCAL, DULSIELZ, light, feather, breast, face, INIMOIS, AIEGANZ, ISPARIZ man, angel, spirit

Pope Eugenius: Pope Eugenius: et qui in acie alia fuerunt etiam in pectoribus suis Those in the second army also had wings on their quasi pennas habuerunt ... breasts,...

Choir: Choir: BURBEISCAL, BANZIAZ breast, feather

Pope Eugenius: Pope Eugenius: ...et facies ut facies hominum in se ostenderunt,...... which displayed forms like human forms,...

Choir: Choir: DULSIELZ, INIMOIS face, man

Pope Eugenius: Pope Eugenius: ...in quibus etiam imago Filii hominis velut in speculo ...in which the image of the Son of Man shone as if in fulgebat. a mirror.

Choir: Choir: acie alia... in the other army...

MILIZAMIZ, SCIRIZIN, AIGONZ, GLOSINZ image, son, God, army MILIZAMIZ, AIGONZ image, God INIMOIS man MILIZAMIZ, SCIRIZIN, AIEGANZ image, son, angel

Pope Eugenius and men from the Choir: Pope Eugenius and men from the Choir: Hae autem acies alias quinque acies secundum These armies were arrayed in the shape of a crown modum coronae circumcinxerant. around ﬁ ve other armies.

Choir: Choir: DULSIELZ, INIMOIS, LIMIX, GLOSINZ face, man, light, army LIMIX light DULSIELZ face INIMOIS man

8 Men from the Choir: Men from the Choir: qui vero in alia erant,... Those in the ﬁ rst of these ﬁ ve armies seemed to have...

Choir: Choir: BURIZINDIZ, FLAGUR, SCURINZ, GLOSINZ fi re, fl ame, fl ame, army LIMIX, BURIZINDIZ light, fi re SCURINZ fl ame

Men from the Choir: Men from the Choir: ...et qui in alia ut album marmor ...... those in the third had the appearance of white marble...

Choir: Choir: HOIL, GLOSINZ head, army BURIZINDIZ, KINCHZIA, KINCHSCALIS ﬁ re, candle, candle-holder HOIL head PHAMZIOLAZ candle KINCHZIA, KINCHSCALIS candle, candle-holder LIMIX light

Men from the Choir: Men from the Choir: ...et qui in alia ...... those in the fourth...

Choir: Choir: DULSIELZ, INIMOIS, FUSCAL, SCATIL, GLOSINZ face, man, foot, tunic, army HOIL, GALIZIMA head, helmet FUSCAL foot INIMOIS man SCATIL tunic

Men from the Choir: Men from the Choir: et qui in alia ... velut aurora rubebant. and those in the ﬁ fth ... shone red like the dawn.

Choir: Choir: LIMIX, MUMIZANZ, GLOSINZ light, morning, army MUMIZANZ morning LIMIX light MUMIZAINZ morning

Men from the Choir: Men from the Choir: Sed et acies istae alias duas etiam in modum But these armies were also arrayed like a crown coronae circumdederant. around two others. una acie... Those in the ﬁ rst...

Choir: Choir: LUZEIA, DULSIELZ, INIMOIS eyes, face, man BANZIAZ, AIEGANZ, GLOSINZ feather, angel, army LUZEIA eyes BANZIAZ, AIEGANZ feather, angel DULSIELZ, INIMOIS face, man

Men from the Choir: Men from the Choir: ...et qui in alia...... and those in the second...

Choir: Choir: BURIZINDIZ fi re SCURINZ, BANZIAZ, GLOSINZ, CRIZIA fl ame, feather, army, church BURIZINDIZ, SCURINZ fi re, fl ame

9 Men from the Choir: Men from the Choir: Et hae acies omnes in omni genere musicorum And all these armies were singing with marvellous mirabilibus vocibus miracula illa resonabant quae voices all kinds of music about the wonders that God Deus in beatis animabus operatur,.... works in blessed souls,...

Choir: Choir: AIGONZ, CRIZIA God, church

Men from the Choir: Men from the Choir: ...per quae Deum magnifi ce glorifi cabant. ...and by this God was magnifi cently glorifi ed.

Choir: Choir: LIMIX light BANZIAZ, AIEGANZ feather, angel LUZEIA eyes

Hildegard defends herself against accusations of unorthodox practices Act 1 - scene 8

Voice of Mistress Tengswich, to Hildegard:

To Hildegard, leader of the brides of Christ, from Tengswich, elected Superior of the sisters at Andernach, praying that she may one day be joined with the highest order of heavenly spirits.

Word of your highly esteemed saintliness has spread far and wide, and we have heard wondrous tales of your extraordinary piety. Indeed we have also learned from a number of people that an angel from above reveals arcane, heavenly secrets for you to set down in writing and interpret.

On the other hand we have also become aware of some unusual customs that you practice. They say that on feast days your virgins stand in church singing and playing the cithara with unbound hair, and decked out with dazzling white silk robes, so long that they touch the ground. Furthermore we hear that they wear on their heads crowns of gold fi ligree, with crosses inserted on the sides and back, and a fi gure of the Lamb fetchingly woven on the front, and that their fi ngers are adorned with gold rings. All this they do despite the express prohibition of that fi rst shepherd of the Church who warns us in his letters: “let women carry themselves with modesty, not with plaited hair, nor gold, nor pearls, nor precious clothes”. Moreover, what seems to us no less remarkable is that you admit into your community only those of noble birth, and that any who are descended from ordinary or less wealthy families you utterly reject.

Truly indeed, O most worthy bride of Christ, the unorthodox nature of your customs strikes us with no little amazement, and far exceeds our comprehension. Accordingly, we poor little creatures heartily rejoice for you; but with all the respect that is due to your saintly ambition, we nevertheless deeply and earnestly beseech you, with all the authority that such piety upholds, to write back to us with an explanation as soon as possible.

Farewell, and may you remember us in your prayers.

10 Hildegard, to a congregation of nuns: Voice of Hildegard, to a congregation of nuns: Fons vivus dicit: The living fountain says:

O quam mira O, woman, what a The living fountain says: let a woman lie hidden within her res es... wonderful thing you are!... chamber, shrouded in modesty, for the serpent breathed on her great danger of dreadful wantonness. But why? Terra sudat viriditatem The earth sweats with the The form of woman shone and glowed in that primal root, graminis.. very greenness of the grass.. in which she was formed, and from which all creatures were born. O quam mira O, woman, what a res es, wonderful thing you are! O, woman, what a wonderful thing you are! You have que in sole You have placed your placed your foundations in the sun, and from there have fundamentum posuisti foundations in the sun, conquered the world! et inde terram and from there have superasti!.. conquered the world! The earth sweats with the very greenness of the grass, until winter conquers it. Audi. Hear me! And as winter ravages the earth and carries off the beauty of its blossom, the earth covers over that greenness, thereby disguising any sign of drought. In a similar way, a married woman should not indulge in vanity, adorning her hair with crowns or other golden ornaments, unless her husband so wishes, and even then, only with due modesty.

But these rules do not extend to a virgin; for she stands within the simplicity and integrity of paradise in all its beauty, never appearing to wither, and always remaining in the full vitality of a young ﬂ ower. A virgin is not required to conceal the freshness of her hair – she covers herself only of her own free will and through great humility, just as a person naturally hides the beauty of their soul, lest the arrogant hawk snatch it away.

Virgins are joined together in the sanctity of the Holy Spirit and in the dawn of virginity, and so it is ﬁ tting that they be brought before the high priest like an offering to God. It is for this reason that it is proper, through this license and through the revelation of the mystical breath of the ﬁ nger of God, that a virgin decks herself in clothes of dazzling white, as a shining symbol of her betrothal to Christ.

Furthermore God keeps all people under close scrutiny, lest a lower order rise above a higher one, as Satan and the ﬁ rst man did when they tried to ﬂ y higher than they had been placed. And what rational person would bring together all his animals – oxen, asses, sheep and young goats – haphazardly into a single stable?

For the same reason let there be discrimination in these matters, lest diverse people, all herded together, become divided whether through pride or disgrace, and especially lest those of honest character become deﬁ led, as higher orders fall, lower orders rise, and one by one they tear each apart through hatred.

It is clear to see that God distinguishes between people on earth just as he does in heaven between angels, archangels, thrones, dominations, cherubim and seraphim. All are loved by God, but they are not equal in rank.

These words come from the Living Light, and not from any man. Whoever hears them, may they see, and may they believe where they come from.

11 Ediﬁ ce of Salvation VISION 4 Act 1 - scene 10

Choir: Choir: Veni ad nos! Come to us!

Hildegard: Hildegard: Heu, heu! Heu, heu!

Voice of Hildegard: Demonstratus est mihi per spiritum locus, ubi Naha I have been shown by the Holy Spirit that place fl uvius Rheno confl uit, videlicet collis a priscis diebus where the Nahe fl ows into the Rhine, namely the sancto Roberto confessori ex nomine adtitulatus. hill which earlier received its name from Blessed (adapted from Vita S. Hildegardis, by Peter Brown) Confessor Rupert.

Choir: Choir: Veni ad nos! Come to us, Inspira nos! Inspire us!

Hildegard: Hildegard: Hunc locum ego paupercula forma elegi, quem non I, poor little woman that I am, have chosen this place; corporalibus oculis, verum intima visione cognovi I have not seen it with bodily eyes but in an inner (adapted from Vita S. Hildegardis, by Peter Brown) vision.

Deinde vidi intra ambitum circuli quasi montem Then I saw within the circumference of the circle a magnum. great mountain.

Et super ipsum montem stabat velut quoddam And on that mountain stood a four-sided building, aediﬁ cium quadrangulum, ad similitudinem urbis formed in the likeness of a four-walled city; it was quadrangulae factum, aliquantulumque in obliquum placed at an angle, so that one of its corners faced positum, ita quod eius angulus unus respiciebat the East, one faced the West, one the North and one ad orientem et alius ad occidentem, et unus ad the South. (...) (Scivias) septemtrionem et alius ad meridiem. (Scivias)

Choir: Choir: Veni ad nos, Come to us, Tange nos, Touch us, Inspira nos, Inspire us, Dirige nos Guide us,

Hildegard: Hildegard: Idem autem aediﬁ cium in circuitu suo murum unum The building had one wall around it, but made of two duorum generum habebat, quorum genus unum materials: One was a shining light like the light of the erat quasi splendor lucidus ut lux diei est, et alterum sky, and the other was stones joined together.(...) quasi compaginatio lapidum (...)

Latitudo autem inter ipsum aediﬁ cium et splendorem And between the building and the light of the circle, ex praedicto circulo se in profundum abyssi which extended from the height to the abyss, at extendentem erat in vertice orientalis anguli unius the top of the east corner there was only a palm's palmi, alibi autem, id est in septemtrionali et in breadth; but at the north and west and south corners, occidentali atque in meridiana parte, tanta undique the breadth of separation between the building and erat latitudo inter idem aediﬁ cium et eundem the light was so great that I could not grasp its extent. splendorem, ut eius amplitudinem nullo modo comprehendere possem.

12 Monk Arnold: Monk Arnold: (alias Devil) Quid facis, aut quo vadis? Tu amplexata es me ... What are you doing and where are you going? You sed nunc in reversione tua confundis me. Ego autem were in my embrace... yet now you are going back, pugna mea deiectam reducam te. defying me - but I shall ﬁ ght you and bring you back. (Adapted from Ordo virtutum, #40, by Peter Brown) (Adapted from Ordo virtutum, #40, by Peter Brown)

Choir: Choir: O beatissima Hildegardis, a Deo electa, O most blessed Hildegard, chosen woman of God, Veni ad nos, Come to us, Tange nos, Touch us, Inspira nos, Inspire us, Dirige nos, Guide us, Incende nos, Enfl ame us; Succurre nobis, Help us; Veni, edifi cium strue ad salutem nostram, ut gloriam Come; build us an edifi ce for our salvation so that sanctitatis tue per quattuor terre angulos hymnis we may evermore resonate the glory of your divine celestibus resonemus. estate in celestial hymns throughout all four corners (James Wood, translated to Latin by Peter Brown) of the earth.

13 Arrival in Rupertsberg Act 1 - scene 11

Men from the choir: Men from the choir: O Jerusalem, aurea civitas, O Jerusalem, city of gold, ornata regis purpura; adorned with kingly purple;

Women from the choir: Women from the choir: O beata puericia O blessed boyhood que rutilas in aurora, glimmering in the dawn, et o laudabilis adolescentia and O wonderful time of youth que ardes in sole. aﬂ ame in the sun.

Men from the choir: Men from the choir: o ediﬁ catio summe bonitatis O building of highest excellence que es lux numquam obscurata. who are a light never darkened. Tu enim es ornata Truly, you are resplendent in aurora et in calore solis. in the dawn and the heat of the sun.

Women from the choir: Women from the choir: Nam tu, o nobilis Ruperte, For you, O noble Rupert, in his sicut gemma fulsisti, shimmer in these like a jewel, unde non potes abscondi stultis hominibus whence you cannot be hidden to fools sicut nec mons valli celatur. just as the mountain cannot be hidden from the valley.

Men from the choir: Men from the choir: Fenestre tue Jerusalem Your windows, Jerusalem, cum topazio et saphiro are wondrously adorned specialiter sunt decorate. with topaz and sapphire.

Women from the choir: Women from the choir: Unde vos, o ornati, You, O adorned ones, et o coronati, and O crowned ones, qui habitatis in Jerusalem,... who dwell in Jerusalem,... succurrite nobis famulantibus help us, servants et in exilio laborantibus. labouring in exile.

Men from the choir: Men from the choir: In quibus dum fulges, o Ruperte, As you blaze in the windows, non potes abscondi O Rupert, you are revealed even to those whose tepidis moribus faith is lukewarm -- sicut nec mons valli - - just as the mountain cannot be hidden from the coronatus rosis, liliis et purpura valley - in vera ostensione. crowned with roses, lilies and purple in a true revelation.

(...)

End of Act 1

14 Consecration of St. Rupertsberg Monastery Act 2 - scene 1 Choir: Choir: O Jerusalem O Jerusalem, fundamentum tuum positum est your foundation is laid cum torrentibus lapidibus... with showering stones... (Hildegard - O Jerusalem)

Archbishop Heinrich of Mainz: Archbishop Heinrich of Mainz: Ecce tabernaculum Dei cum hominibus, et habitabit Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will cum eis. Et ipsi populus eius erunt, et ipse Deus cum dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God eis erit eorum Deus. (Rev:21:3) himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Ergo iam non estis hospites, et advenae: sed estis Now therefore you are no longer strangers and cives sanctorum, et domestici Dei: superaedifi cati foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and super fundamentum apostolorum, et prophetarum, of the household of God; and are built upon the ipso summo angulari lapide Christo Jesu: in quo foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ omnis aedifi catio constructa crescit in templum himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the sanctum in Domino, in quo et vos coaedifi camini in entire fabric of the building grows into a holy temple habitaculum Dei in Spiritu. (Eph:2:19-22) in the Lord; in whom you also are built together as a habitation of God through the spirit.

Et ipsi tanquam lapides vivi superaediﬁ camini, domus You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual spiritualis, sacerdotium sanctum, offerre spirituales house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacriﬁ ces, hostias, acceptabiles Deo per Jesum Christum. acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Ecce pono in Sion lapidem summum angularem, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, electum, pretiosum: et qui crediderit in eum, non precious: and whoever believes in him shall not be confundetur. (1:Peter:2:5-6) confounded.

Choir: Choir: Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your misericordiam tuam; loving kindness; Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea, et a peccato meo Wash me throughly from my iniquity, and clease me munda me. from my sin. Asperges me hyssopo, et mundabor; lavabis me, et Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash super nivem dealbabor. me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Domine, labia mea aperies, et os meum annuntiabit O Lord open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show laudem tuam. (Miserere - Ps.51(50):1,2,7,15) forth thy praise.

Richardis: Richardis: Locus iste a Deo factus est, This place was made by God, inaestimabile sacramentum; a priceless sacrament; irreprehensibilis est. beyond reproach. Deus, cui adstat angelorum chorus, O God, before whom a choir of angels stands, exaudi preces servorum tuorum. answer the prayers of your servants. (Locus iste - Gradual for the Dedication of a Church)

MAIZ! MOTHER!

Hildegard: Hildegard:

LIMIX! LIGHT!

O vas nobile quod non est pollutum, O sublime and unpolluted vessel, nec devoratum not drained in saltatione antique spelunce in the dance in the old cave et quod non est maceratum and not running in vulneribus antiqui perditoris. with sores inﬂ icted by the Ancient Enemy.

In te symphonizat Spiritus Sanctus The Holy Spirit rings in you, quia angelicis choris associaris, for you are numbered among the singers of Heaven, et quoniam in ﬁ lio Dei ornaris and because you are honoured in Christ cum nullam maculam habes. since you have no stain. (Hildegard - O Jerusalem)

15 Virginitas VISION 5 Act 2 - scene 2

Voice of Hildegard: Voice of Hildegard: Post haec vidi quod praefatam muliebrem After this I saw that a splendor white as snow and imaginem quidam splendor albus ut nix et tamquam translucent as crystal had shone around the image crystallus perlucidus a vertice usque ad guttur eius of that woman from the top of her head to her throat. circumfulserat. Sed a gutture usque ad umbilicum And from her throat to her navel another splendor, eius quidam alius splendor rubei coloris eam red in color, had encircled her, glowing like the dawn circumdederat, qui de gutture usque ad ubera illius from her throat to her breasts and shlnlng from her velut aurora rutilabat, sed ab uberibus usque ad breasts to her navel mixed wIth purple and blue. And umbilicum illius quasi purpura hyacintho intermixta where It glowed like the dawn, its brightness shone fulgebat. Et ubi ipse velut aurora rutilabat, claritatem forth as high as the secret places of Heaven; and in suam sursum ad secreta caeli extendit; in qua this brightness appeared a most beautiful image of a pulcherrima et puellaris imago nudo capite et maiden, with bare head and black hair, wearing a red subnigris capillis et rubra tunica quae circa pedes tunic, which ﬂ owed down about her feet. eius difﬂ uebat induta apparuit.

Men from the choir: Men from the choir: Haec est fl oriditatis in superna Sion, mater et This is the blossom of the celestial Zion, the mother fl os rosarum et lilium convallium. O fl oriditas, and fl ower of roses and lilies of the valley. O fi lio potentissimi regis desponsaberis, cui et blossom, when in your time you are strengthened, nominatissimam prolem gignes, cum in tempore tuo you shall bring forth a most renowned posterIty. confortaberis.

Women from the choir: Women from the choir: Ave, generosa, gloriosa Hail, girl of a noble house, et intacta puella; shimmering and unpolluted, tu, pupilla castitatis, you, pupil in the eye of chastity, tu, materia sanctitatis, you, essence of sanctity, que Deo placuit! who were pleasing to God!

Nam hec superna infusio For the Heavenly potion in te fuit, was poured into you, quod supernum verbum in that Heavenly word in te carnem induit, received a raiment of ﬂ esh in you,

Men from the choir: Men from the choir : Isti sunt ﬁ liae Sion, et cum eis sunt citharae These are the daughters of Zion, and with them citharoedorum et omne genus musicorum ac vox the harps of the harpers and all sorts of musical totius laetitiae et gaudium gaudiorum. instruments, and the voice of all gladness, and the joy of joys.

Women from the choir: Women from the choir: Tu, candidum lilium, You, the lily that dazzles, quod Deus ante omnem creaturam inspexit. whom God knew before all his other creatures.

O pulcherrima O most beautiful et dulcissima; and delectable one; quam valde Deus in te delectabatur! how greatly God delighted in you! cum amplexione caloris sui in the clasp of His ﬁ re in te posuit ita quod ﬁ lius eius He implanted in you so that His Son de te lactatus est. might be suckled by you.

Venter enim tuus Thus your womb held joy, gaudium habuit, when all the Heavenly harmony cum omnis celestis symphonia chimed out for you, de te sonuit, because, O virgin, you bore the Son of God quia, virgo, ﬁ lium Dei portasti, whence your chastity blazed in God. ubi castitas tua in Deo claruit.

16 Men from the choir: Men from the choir: Si Filius Dei in cruce passus non esset, istae If the Son of God had not suffered on the cross, this tenebrae nullo modo permitterent hominem ad darkness would mean that no person could attain supernam claritatem pervenire. celestial glory.

Women from the choir: Women from the choir: Viscera tua gaudium habuerunt, Your womb knew delight sicut gramen super quod ros cadit like the grassland touched by dew cum ei viriditatem infudit; and drenched in its freshness; ut et in te factum est, so it was done in you, o mater omnis gaudii. O mother of all joy.

Nunc omnis Ecclesia Now let all Ecclesia glimmer in gaudio rutilet with the dawn of joy ac in symphonia sonet and let it resound in music propter dulcissimam virginem for the sweetest virgin, et laudibilem Mariam Mary compelling all praise, Dei genitricem. Amen. mother of God. Amen

Men from the choir: Men from the choir:

Magna mysteria sunt haec. These are great mysteries. (Hildegard - Ave generosa)

17 The Richardis Affair Act 2 - scene 3

Voice of Heinrich, Archbishop of Mainz, to Hildegard:

Heinrich, who by the grace of God is elected archbishop of Mainz, extends his friendship with fatherly affection to Hildegard, cherished Abbess at Mount St. Rupert the Confessor.

To come straight to the reason for our letter, we are obliged to inform you that monks from a certain noble church have come to us with a petition; they request that a certain nun in your establishment be given up to them following her appointment to their community as Abbess. In our capacity as both prelate and father we join them in commanding you to release this sister immediately to those who are requesting her. If you comply with this order you will know our thanks in even greater abundance than ever before; but if not, we will continue to command you to do so with ever greater vehemence until our order has been obeyed.

Hildegard, to Heinrich: Voice of Hildegard, to Heinrich:

Perspicuus fons, The clear fountain, non fallax... sed iustus... never lying... but just...

He cause... These decrees.. The clear fountain, that never lies and is always just, apud Deum inutiles sunt... are of no consequence says: before God, O plangite et lugete, Weep and mourn, The decrees which have been issued on this girl O pastores, O my people, are of no consequence before God, for I, who am qui negligis as you ignorantly cast amply qualiﬁ ed to shed light on the matter, neither in multis scrutiniis... aside the duties constituted laid them down nor proposed them. They have by God... been conceived only by the conniving audacity of ignorant hearts. May all the faithful bear witness to Tu vero surge, but you, rise up now: these things with the acutest ears of their hearts, and et maledictionem relinque desert and ﬂ ee from your not just the outward ears of an animal, that grasps illam fugiendo. abusiveness! only the sound of the word without understanding its meaning. The Spirit of God has said again and again: O my people, weep and mourn over our time, as you ignorantly cast aside the duties constituted by God and turn instead to the pursuit of wealth and the foolishness of depraved, godless men.

And so your slanderous, malicious and threatening words are to be ignored. Your sticks are raised high, not towards God, but only to further the shameful presumptuousness of your own desires.

He who is, says: You have been found wanting, but I tell you: the heavens have been opened through the Lord’s vengeance, and now the ropes have been lowered against his enemies. You, however, rise up, because your days are numbered, and remember that Nebuchadnezzar fell and his kingdom perished. Indeed there are many others who have fallen as they tried, profanely, to raise themselves up to heaven.

Ach! You are nothing but a charred ember; are you not ashamed of mingling among the eminent when you ought to be down, rotting on a heap? Let raving madmen blush; but you, rise up now: desert and ﬂ ee from your abusiveness!

18 Hildegard, to Richardis: Voice of Hildegard, to Richardis:

Audi me, ﬁ lia, Daughter, listen to me, matrem tuam... your mother...

Dolor meus ascendit. my grief has welled up, Daughter, listen to me – it is I, your mother who Heu me, mater, mother! is speaking to you through the Spirit: my grief has heu me, ﬁ lia, daughter! welled up, and my anguish is destroying the great quare me dereliquisti why have you forsaken me trust and belief that I have always had in mankind. sicut orphanam? like an orphan? Nunc plangant mecum may they lament with me, A man should be able to look directly into the living omnes qui habent dolorem all those who have felt heights without the obstruction of any earthly love similem dolori meo... sorrow like my sorrow... or faltering faith, like the clouds and mists that pass over the earth. It is in this way that my own judgement has been clouded as a result of my love for a certain individual.

But as often as I have sinned in this way, God has always found a way to reveal that sin to me, whether through some sort of grievance or difﬁ culty, just as he has done in this case concerning you, as I think you know.

For I cry out again and again: mother! daughter! why have you forsaken me like an orphan? For I have so loved the nobility of your character, your wisdom and your chastity, your soul and all your inner vitality, that many people have wondered what has come over me.

All those who have felt sorrow like my sorrow, may they lament with me, and all those who, through the love of God, have had such affection in their heart and mind for someone as I have had for you, only to have them suddenly snatched away as you have been, let them wail aloud and grieve with me. But may the angel of God go before you, and the Son of God protect you and his Mother preserve you. Remember your poor, wretched mother, Hildegard, so that your happiness may never desert you.

19 Death of Richardis Act 2 - scene 4 Voice of Hartwig, archbishop of Bremen, to Hildegard:

Archbishop Hartwig of Bremen hereby offers Hildegard, mistress of the sisters of St Rupert in Christ, something not only in place of a sister but more than a sister – obedience.

I write to inform you that she who is both my sister in body and yours in spirit has gone the way of all ﬂ esh. Indeed, even as I was on my way to see our earthly king, whilst assuming little of the honour I had bestowed upon her, she gave herself up to her lord, the King of heaven. She made a full and devout confession, after which she was annointed with consecrated oil; and with her usual christian modesty, she tearfully displayed a whole-hearted longing for your cloister. Having committed herself to the Lord though his mother and St John, she then three times made the sign of the cross, acknowledging the Trinity and Unity of God; and in perfect faith, hope and love, she ﬁ nally gave up her spirit on the 29th day of October.

If I am worthy, I therefore most earnestly implore you to love her as deeply as she loved you, and that if you ever found any fault in her, (which fault was entirely mine and not hers), you have regard for the tears she shed for your cloister, which were witnessed by many.

May God, who is the repayer of all good deeds, reward you now and for always – for you, even more than all her family and friends, showed such goodness towards her, in which, before God and before me, she rejoiced. Please convey my thanks to your sisters for all their kindness.

Hildegard, to Hartwig: Voice of Hildegard, to Hartwig:

O quam magnum O how great miraculum est a miracle there is in salvatione... in the salvation... animarum illarum, of those souls Oh, how so great a miracle there is in the salvation quas Deus ita inspexit, which God regards so highly, of those souls which God regards so highly that even quod gloria eius... that even his glory does not his glory does not overshadow them. But God works non obumbratur! overshadow them. through these souls, just as a mighty warrior strives not merely to avoid defeat but to be sure of victory. "O virginitas, "O virginity, you stand ﬁ rm in regali thalamo stas". within the royal chamber". O my dear friend, listen to me; it was just so with my daughter Richardis, who to me was both daughter and mother, because I poured out the full, divine affection of my soul to her, as indeed the Living Light had so instructed me in a most powerful vision.

Truly, God had such pride in her, that the pleasures of this world had no power over her; for she always fought against them, even though she appeared just like a fl ower in all its beauty and elegance, in harmony with the world. And yet, whilst she still remained with us in the fl esh, she appeared to me in a true vision, and a voice said of her: O virginity, you stand fi rm within the royal chamber.

Indeed this girl, while still a mere tender bud of virginity, has now been ordained into that most holy fellowship, over which the daughters of Sion rejoice.

But now you, O dear Hartwig, who preside in the name of Christ, fulﬁ ll the wishes of your sister’s soul, as obedience requires. Just as she was devoted to you, remember her soul and do all those good things she so strove for. As for me, I cast out of my heart that grief which you have brought me concerning my daughter. In the full concord of the saints, may God grant you the dew of his grace, and blessed reward in the life of the world to come.

20 Ordo virtutum Hildegard (Castitas): Hildegard (Chastity): O quam dulciter ardes in amplexibus regis, cum te How sweetly you burn in the King’s embraces, when sol perfulget ita quod nobilis fl os tuus numquam the Sun blazes through you, never letting your noble cadet. fl ower fall. Gentle maiden, you will never know the shadow over the falling fl ower!

Virtutes Virtues: Flos campi cadit vento, pluvia spargit eum. O The fl ower of the fi elds falls in the wind, the Virginitas, tu permanes in symphoniis supernorum rain splashes it. But you, Virginity, remain in the civium: unde es suavis fl os qui numquam aresces. symphonies of heavenly habitants: you are the tender fl ower that will never grow dry.

Spirit of Richardis (Amor celestis): Spirit of Richardis (Heavenly Love): Ego aurea porta in celo ﬁ xa sum: qui per me transit I am the golden gate ﬁ xed in heaven: whoever numquam amaram petulantiam in mente sua passes through me will never taste bitter gustabit. rebelliousness in her mind.

Virtutes Virtues: O ﬁ lia regis, tu semper es in amplexibus quos Royal daughter, you are held fast in the embraces mundus fugit. the world shuns. O gloriosa coronata, nos libenter militamus tecum Glorious, crowned one, how gladly we will ﬁ ght contra illusorem hunc. against that deceiver, at your side!

21 The Last Days and the Fall of the Antichrist VISION 6 Act 2 - scene 5

Devil: Devil: JUR man ISPARIZ spirit DIUUELIZ devil STALTICHOLZ altar

Men from the choir: Men from the choir: FLAGUR, SCURINZ, GARAZIN ﬂ ame, ﬁ re, swineherd DIUUELIZ, SCATIL devil, tunic DARIZ, CIRZIEL gut, kidneys SCORINZ, VIPERIZ, BUIANZ, CREUENIZ, UIRLAIZ, liver, spleen, bladder, male organ, genitals MUMIZANZ, TONZIZ, FUSCAL dawn, shadow, feet

Devil: Devil: JUR man ISPARIZ spirit DIUUELIZ devil STALTICHOLZ altar

Women from the choir: Men from the choir: VANIX, STALTICHOLZ, LUZEIA woman, altar, eyes AIGONZ, VERISZOIL God, stomach CIRZIEL kidneys SCURINZ, OIR, HASCUTIL ﬁ re, ears, nose HOIL head LUZEIA, HOIL eyes, head MONIZ, MAIAZ, OZONZ, MALETINOSINZ mouth, jaws, jaws, jaws VIMZIAL gums MALSKIR, HOIL, BOIL teeth, head, knee CROUIZ, RUBIANZ, SUINZ, HOIL heel, blood, sweat, head BOIL knee

Women from the choir: Women from the choir: Heu, heu, quid est hoc? Alas, alas! What is this? Quid videtur vobis hoc fuisse? What do you think this was? Ach nos miseros, quis nos iuvabit? Alas, wretches that we are! Aut quis nos liberabit? Who will help us, and who will deliver us? Nescimus enim quomodo decepti sumus. For we know not how we were deceived.

Devil: Devil: JUR man ISPARIZ spirit DIUUELIZ devil STALTICHOLZ altar

22 Men from the choir: Men from the choir: VANIX, STALTICHOLZ, LUZEIA woman, altar, eyes AIGONZ, VERISZOIL God, stomach CIRZIEL kidneys SCURINZ, OIR, HASCUTIL fi re, ears, nose HOIL head LUZEIA, CIRZIEL eyes, kidneys MONIZ, MAIAZ, OZONZ, MALETINOSINZ mouth, jaws, jaws, jaws VIMZIAL gums MALSKIR, HOIL, BOIL teeth, head, knee OZONZ, MAIAZ jaws, jaws CROUIZ, RUBIANZ, SUINZ, HOIL heel, blood, sweat, head BOIL, MAIAZ knee, jaws ZIERZER, MEGINZ, FLUANZ anus, excrement, urine HOIL head VANIX, GALICH, DORNIEL woman, limb, anus HOIL, BOIL, CIRZIEL head, knee, kidneys ISPARIZ spirit MAIAZ jaws FLAGUR, SCURINZ, GARAZIN fl ame, fi re, swineherd DIUUELIZ, SCATIL devil, tunic DARIZ CIRZIEL gut, kidneys VIPERIZ spleen BUIANZ bladder UIRLAIZ genitals MUMIZANZ dawn MAIAZ jaws

O omnipotens Deus, miserere nobis. O Almighty God, have mercy on us! Revertamur, revertamur igitur propere in Let us return, let us return; let us hasten to the testamentum evangelii Christi: covenant of Christ's Gospel; quoniam, ach, ach, ach, amare decepti sumus. for ah, ah, ah! we have been bitterly deceived!

23 Hildegard attacks Pope Anastasius and speaks out against heresy Act 2 - scene 6

Hildegard, to Pope Anastasius: Voice of Hildegard, to Pope Anastasius:

O persona, que es You, who are precellens armatura the esteemed defense et mons magistrationis and pillar of that most valde ornate civitatis... lavishly adorned city... audi illum, hear Him who qui non incepit vivere never ceases to be alive, et qui non lassatur and who does not lapse in defectione. into failure.

O homo, O man, You, O man, who are elected to sit on the highest cur non revocas why do you not recall the throne, and who have knowingly become weak in naufragos? shipwrecked? preventing the arrogant pomposity among those Et quare non abscidis And why do you not cut off placed in your care - why do you not recall the radicem mali? the root of wickedness? shipwrecked, who are incapable of rising from the Filiam regis ... The king’s daughter, depths without help? negligis. you neglect. And why do you not cut off the root of wickedness, Tu enim permittis hanc You are allowing the which is suffocating those good and medicinal plants fi liam regis king's daughter which have such sweet taste and pleasant aroma? super terram prosterni. to be thrown to the ground. For you are neglecting the king’s daughter, Justice herself, who is embraced by heaven and who was Cur pravos mores in Why do you put up with such entrusted to you. hominibus suffers... depraved people,... ad se queque nociva bent on causing You are allowing her to be thrown to the ground, her colligentes, harm, fi ne crown and tunic torn away by the crudeness sicut gallina, like a hen of hostile men who bark like dogs and crow like que in nocte clamans which cackles in the night cockerels, as they raise up their pathetic little voices sibimet terrorem incutit? and terrifi es itself? during the night. These people are fakes – they preach false peace with their voices whilst in their Audi ergo, o homo, Listen, therefore, O man, hearts they gnash their teeth, like a dog that wags its pastor, our shepherd, tail among those it knows but bites the hand of the surge, rise up and run quickly king’s trusted knight. Why do you put up with such et curre citius ad iustitiam. towards justice. depraved people, blinded by their foolishness and bent on causing harm, like a hen which cackles in O tu homo, O man, the night and terrifi es itself? Such people are rotten sta in recto itinere, stand fi rm on the strait path, to the core. et in eternum vives. and you will have eternal life. Listen, therefore, O man, to Him who treasures the power of discernment, thereby establishing that great instrument of honour to combat the devil. You are not doing this, when you fail to stamp out the evil which desires to suffocate the good. Rather you are permitting that evil to raise up its arrogant head, thus exposing your fear of those worst of enemies who plot treason during the night, and who prefer the riches of death to the king’s beautiful daughter, Justice.

But now, He who is without blemish has touched our humble abode, in order that we may witness a miracle, and form unknown letters to resonate in an unknown language. And a voice said to us: these things which are being revealed to you not in any human form but in a language from above, let him who is able not fail to interpret them for mankind to understand.

You however, who have apparently been elected as our shepherd, rise up and run quickly towards justice, so that you are not accused, before that great 24 physician, of failing to wipe away the grime from his sheepfold or annoint his ﬂ ock with oil. When a man is ignorant of criminal wrongdoing, and when he does not actively desire it, he will not be condemned utterly, for the ﬂ aw of his ignorance can be corrected by the whip.

Therefore, O man, stand ﬁ rm on the strait path, and God will save you and bring you back into the sanctity of his elected council, and you will have eternal life.

Hildegard suffers strain from increasing popularity - Volmar speaks out Act 2 - scene 7

Voice of Philip and the clerics of Cologne, to Hildegard: Philip, unworthy dean, and all the clerics of the cathedral of Cologne, send greetings to Hildegard of St Rupert in Bingen, who, in this world sees God through the purity of her heart, and in the world to come will see him face to face.

Voice of a community of Brothers, to Hildegard: We have heard from honest men that in your writings you have spoken out about the deluded ways of the Cathars, just as you have revealed the secrets of heaven through your visions. We devoutly implore you to send us these writings, since we are more inclined to believe in responses from God made manifest through divine revelation, than those coming from man.

Voice of Philip and the clerics of Cologne (continued): We heartily prevail upon your holiness to commend these our desires most earnestly to God, since they concern the welfare of our souls. Since your soul is so closely bound to God, we ask that you inform us in a letter of anything you see in your visions that concerns us. Furthermore we ask that you put into writing and send us all that through your living voice you said to us before, since, given our weakness for the pursuit of carnal pleasures, we all too easily neglect spiritual matters as we fail to notice them.

Voice of Werner, to Hildegard: Since we are unduly exposed to earthly and secular concerns, we wish to have your words always before our eyes, lest they fade from our memory, and since transitory words can so easily get cast negligently into the wind.

Voice of Abbot Gedolphus, to Hildegard: A certain noble lady, possessed for many years now by a demon, has been brought to us by her friends to be freed from this menace through the intercession of our patron, Saint Nicholas. But the evil deceit in this most cunning and wicked enemy has deluded so many thousands into doubt and sinful ways, that we are fearful for the very establishment of the Holy Church.

Voice of a Dean, to Hildegard: From the day that we were informed that you had managed to rescue our sister, or rather our dear daughter, the lady Sigewize, and bring her back into your blessed fold, not only we, but the entire population of the city of Cologne has been transported by the will of God into an intense love of piety.

Voice of an Abbess, to Hildegard: Indeed I write to you, daring to presume on our friendship, asking that you consider my devotion to you, and diligently intercede for my sins in the face of the Lord.

Voice of Abbot Gedolphus (continued): For three months now we, along with many others, have tried every conceivable way to exorcize the demon from this woman, but I am sorry to report that, because of our own sins, we have made no progress whatsoever. Now all our hope, as well as our trust in God, rest with you.

25 Voice of ﬁ ve Abbots, to Hildegard: The woman who presents herself to you through this letter is a noble lady, and wife of an adoring husband. This then is the reason she has come running to you, friend and handmaiden of Christ, having faith that, through your prayers and good standing with God, she may once again be made fertile, and be able thereafter to present the blessed fruit of her womb to Christ.

Voice of a Dean (continued): Furthermore we have recently heard that the famed apparition which is our most ancient of enemies has been cast out through your prayers. If this is true, we earnestly implore you to write to us, informing us as to the type of ritual that was used in this exorcism, so that together we may rejoice and ceaselessly offer devotional praises to God.

Voice of Werner (continued): For now we presume to direct to you one further request: we ask that you, mother of all piety, write down and do not fail to send us a clear account of what you said to so many of us, when you were here in Kircheim, about the negligence of certain priests in their divine service.

Voice of Abbess Hazzecha, to Hildegard: I humbly beseech you once again, imploring you in the fullness of your mercy, to appeal to God on my behalf, asking what I should do to fulﬁ ll the many obligations of my title, which have placed such a heavy burden on me;

Voice of an Abbot, to Hildegard: ...for, overwhelmed as I have become, in my pastoral capacity, by the turbulence of worldly affairs, I come running to the embrace of your sanctity and prayers for help, so that in the midst of it all I do not inadvertently fall into sin.

Voice of Abbess Hazzecha (continued): ...and that if through any other transgressions I am found wanting, I pray as earnestly as ever that you may ﬁ nd it in your heart to be kind to me; for I am afraid...

Voice of an Abbess (continued): In truth I pray that through the bond of love you remember me, and that through the bearer of this letter you gladden me with a written response according to the gifts bestowed on you by the Holy Spirit.

Voice of Abbot Gedolphus (continued): For, having been invoked in accordance with the letter you sent us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the demon did indeed abandon the body of the woman, but only for a short time.

Voice of an Abbot (continued): ...However, I did manage to send a messenger to you with a letter, but since then I have received no response. In case something happened to that message, I herewith set out the contents of that letter again.

Voice of Abbot Gedolphus (continued): ...For alas he has returned, we cannot imagine by what divine judgement, and now tortures her more cruelly than ever before.

Voice of Abbess Hazzecha (continued): ...for I am afraid, indeed terriﬁ ed of incurring God’s displeasure. Farewell.

Voice of Abbot Gedolphus (continued): ...We then invoked him again, and assaulted him with all our strength...

Voice of an Abbot (continued): ...but because of the terriﬁ c storms that were raging at the time...

Voice of Abbot Gedolphus (continued): ...he declared that would not abandon the possessed woman unless you were with her in person.

26 Volmar, to Hildegard: Voice of Volmar, to Hildegard:

Hildigardi, To Hildegard, domine reverende, reverend lady, matri dulcissime, sweetest mother, magistre sanctissime et most holy mistress and symmiste Dei in cenobio conﬁ dante of God in the beati Ruperti veracissime et holy convent of the most probatissime... righteous and glorious St Rupert...

Quamuis, Although, To Hildegard, reverend lady, sweetest mother, most O mater dulcissima, O dearest mother, holy mistress and confi dante of God in the holy cotidie carnis oculis te every day with our bodily convent of the most righteous and glorious St Rupert, videamus, eyes we see you, from her unworthy son, Volmar, along with her entire absentium tuam - your absence - community of sisters and all those who cling to her in quod sine lacrimis proferre which without tears coming the service of God and St Rupert. non possumus - to the eyes is unthinkable - O dearest mother, although we see and hear you aliquando tamen is something that we have every day in the fl esh, and although we cling to you prout Deo placuerit nos no doubt that the Lord will every day with proper devotion, and understand incumbere non dubitamus, be pleased to infl ict on us, the Holy Spirit who speaks to us through you, we cum te iam amoto and we know that from that are in no doubt that there will come a time when carnalibus oculis non moment we will no longer the Lord will be pleased to take you away from us videbimus - see you in the fl esh - – something that is impossible to contemplate without non est homo qui vivet, for there is no man alive tears coming to our eyes.We know that from that et non videat mortem. who shall not see death. moment we will no longer see you in the fl esh, for there is no man alive who shall not see death.

When that time comes our grief and sorrow will truly exceed the joy that we feel now. For who will give answers to those asking for guidance? Who will offer new interpretations of the Scriptures? Who will sing those unheard songs and give voice to that unknown language? Who, on feast days, will deliver those unheard sermons? Who will bring forth the souls of the departed? Who will make manifest things past, present and future and who will expound the great diversity of the natural world? For we are constantly reminded that you have been born with all these gifts, along with a most gentle and humble character, as well as the divine gift of grace which ﬂ ows with maternal affection through all those around you.

And so we give thanks to God who gave you to us and enlightened you through his Spirit for the glory of his name and for the well-being of many. We humbly and steadfastly pray that he will continue to bestow you with complete health of body and mind, so that this divine gift that ﬂ ows through you may be distributed in abundance for the ediﬁ cation of the whole Church.

27 Death of Volmar Act 2 - scene 8

Hildegard, to Abbot Ludwig: Voice of Hildegard, to Abbot Ludwig:

Deo etiam et tibi, I give thanks to God, and to you, mitis pater Ludovice... dear gentle father Ludwig...

adjutor meus, my helper has been mihi ablatus est. taken away from me. Dear gentle father Ludwig, poor little creature that I am in my frailty and anguish, I give thanks to God, and to you, because you have considered me worthy of your sympathy. Now, like an orphan I have been left to labour on God’s work all alone, because, as has been pleasing to God, my helper has been taken away from me. The book, which, through the grace of the Holy Spirit according to a true vision, I have written with his help, is not yet ﬁ nished; but as soon as the writing is complete I will submit it to you for correction.

Final crisis and victory over the devil Act 2 - scene 9

Hildegard, to the prelates at Mainz: Voice of Hildegard, to the prelates at Mainz:

Ad verum lumen ut soleo I turned to the True Light aspexi, et vigilantibus oculis for guidance; and with in anima mea vidi quod, si open eyes in my soul I iuxta preceptum ipsorum could see quite clearly that corpus eiusdem mortui if this demand were carried efferretur, eiectio illa in out and the dead man’s modum magne nigredinis body were disinterred, we ingens periculum loco nostro would be placed in mortal minaretur... danger and would soon be et in similitudine atre nubis... enshrouded in an ominous nos circumvallaret. black cloud.

Unde et corpus eiusdem We have therefore decided Following a vision implanted in my soul by God my defuncti... not to remove the dead creator before I was born, I have been compelled nec efferre presumpsimus... man’s body... to write these things because of an injunction that our authorities have brought against us concerning ingenti tristitia... an overwhelming sadness.. a certain dead man who was quite properly buried here by his own priest. Soon after this burial, the et audivi vocem I then heard a voice authorities demanded that the man’s body be a vivente luce... from the Living Light removed from our cemetery. Filled with terror I turned to the True Light for guidance; and with open eyes in procedentem... speaking about the my soul I could see quite clearly that if this demand de diversis generibus laudum different kinds of praises, were carried out and the dead man’s body were disinterred, we would be placed in mortal danger de quibus David of which David and would soon be enshrouded in an ominous black in psalmo dicit ... in the Psalms says... cloud.

We have therefore decided not to remove the dead man’s body, since not only had he made his confession, but had also received both extreme unction and communion, and was buried without objection. But lest we should appear totally disobedient, in accordance with this injunction, we have so far ceased from our usual monthly practice of singing the divine ofﬁ ces and from receiving communion.

28 As a result, my sisters and I have been struck down by a sense of deep bitterness and overwhelming sadness. In a state of deep depression, I then heard these words in a vision: ‘you must never heed the words of humans ordering you to abandon the holy sacraments, since these emanate from the Virgin Mary, and thus provide you with your very health.’

I then heard a voice from the Living Light speaking about the different kinds of praises, as David says in the Psalms: ‘Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with the psaltery and harp’… and so forth, until the words ‘let every spirit praise the Lord’. From these words about material things we can learn about spiritual things, since clearly it is the very material fabric and quality of these worldly instruments that gives our innermost being the best chance to offer the very highest praises in our Ofﬁ ces. …

Indeed, the holy prophets were inspired not only to compose psalms and canticles (the singing of which would set alight the hearts of all that heard them) but also to construct instruments of different kinds, thus creating polyphony. Hence, through both the form and quality of the instruments and the meaning of the words they accompany, the listeners, so stirred up and excited by these outward things, would become enlightened within.

In such a way, the holy prophets delighted the soul through their mastery of both celestial singing and earthly instrumental music, as they sang and played together, recalling the music of Adam before his Fall which, though conceived by the Holy Spirit, used all aspects of the art of music to achieve a sweet and harmonious resonance.

You prelates must therefore exercise the greatest vigilance, informed by thorough discussion of all the facts, before brandishing injunctions over a church community forbidding them from singing praises to God, or from administering the holy sacraments. You must also take care, in your ardent desire to execute God’s justice, that you do not incite each other to hatred or resentment, or provoke any desire for revenge; and you must always be wary of being tricked in your judgements by Satan, who banished man from celestial harmony and the delights of paradise.

This time is a time for womankind, because the justice of God is weak. But the full strength of God’s justice is now to be deployed, as this warrior woman rises up against injustice, so that it might fall defeated.

29 Ordo virtutum

Humilitas Humility: Ligate ergo istum, O Virtutes preclare! Bind him then, you shining Virtues!

Virtutes Virtues: O regina nostra, tibi parebimus, et precepta tua in Queen of us all, we obey you - we shall carry out omnibus adimplebimus. your orders to the full.

Diabolus Devil: Tu nescis quid colis, You don’t know what you are nurturing, for your belly quia venter tuus vacuus est pulchra forma de viro is devoid of the beautiful form that woman receives sumpta - ubi transis preceptum quod Deus in suavi from man; in this you transgress the command that copula precepit; unde nescis quid sis! God enjoined in the sweet act of love; so you don’t even know what you are!

Voice of Christian, Archbishop of Mainz, to Hildegard:

Christian, who by the grace of God is elected archbishop of Mainz, to Hildegard, venerable and beloved mistress in Christ, and the whole community of brides in Christ who serve God with her, praying that she may rise from virtue unto virtue to meet the God of gods in Sion.

Dearest lady in Christ, the astonishing evidence as to the truth of the manifestation of your holy discourse requires that our soul pay special heed to your demands, lest they themselves bring retribution on us. And so we are happy to endorse what has been granted you in your holy prayers, inclining towards you all the very best intentions of our heart….

Furthermore, we ﬁ nd that the evidence of your innocence in this matter is so strong, that we offer you our most heartfelt condolences for the grief and tribulation you have suffered through the suspension of holy ofﬁ ces.

Accordingly and properly, and with sympathy from our innermost heart, we have written back to the church in Mainz in the following terms: if indeed it is clear that the absolution of the dead man in question has been asserted by qualiﬁ ed men, we order that you resume the normal celebration of your divine ofﬁ ces. Indeed, if through our fault or ignorance we have caused you any annoyance in this matter, we ask you to grant us the full extent of your forgiveness, and that you do not retract your mercy from him who comes asking for it; furthermore, if you consider us worthy, we ask that you prevail upon the Father of all mercies, presenting us as healthy and unblemished before you and the church of Mainz, to the glory of God and your church, and for the well-being of our soul.

Ordo virtutum

Virtutes: Virtues: O pater omnipotens, ex te fl uit fons in igneo Almighty Father, from you fl owed a fountain in fi ery amore, perduc fi lios tuos in rectum ventum velorum love: guide your children into a fair wind, sailing the aquarum, ita ut et nos eos hoc modo perducamus in waters, so that we too may steer them in this way celestem Jerusalem. into the heavenly Jerusalem.

30 Symphony of the Blessed VISION 7 Act 2 - scene 10

Introduction Hildegard: Hildegard: Deinde vidi lucidissimum aerem, in quo audivi in Then I saw the lucent sky, in which I heard different omnibus praedictis signiﬁ cationibus mirabili modo kinds of music, marvellously embodying all the diversum genus musicorum in laudibus civium meanings I had heard before. I heard the praises supernorum gaudiorum in via veritatis fortiter of the joyous citizens of Heaven, steadfastly perseverantium, ac in querelis revocatorum ad persevering in the ways of Truth; and the laments laudes eorundem gaudiorum, et in exhortatione calling people back to those praises and joys; and virtutum se exhortantium ad salutem populorum the exhortations of the virtues, spurring one another quibus diabolicae insidiae repugnant; sed ipsae on to secure the salvation of the peoples ensnared virtutes eas opprimunt, ita tamen quod sic ﬁ deles by the Devil. And the virtues destroyed his snares, so homines tandem a peccatis ad superna per that the faithful at last through repentance passed out paenitentiam transeunt. of their sins and into Heaven.

Choir: Choir:

RANZGIA! Voices!

Hildegard: Hildegard:

Et sonus ille, ut vox multitudinis in laudibus de And their song, like the voice of a multitude, making supernis gradibus in harmonia symphonizans, sic music in harmony praising the ranks of Heaven, had dicebat: these words:

Exhortation of the Virtues

Virtutes: Virtues:

Unde gaude, ﬁ lia Sion, O daughter of Zion, rejoice that God restores you Deus tibi multos reddit So many cut off from you by the ancient serpent, quos serpens de te abscidere voluit; Who now shine brighter than ever they shone before. qui nunc in maiori luce fulgent quam prius illorum causa fuisset. Choir: Choir:

RANZGIA! Voices!

Hildegard: Hildegard:

Itemque sonus ille, ut vox multitudinis, in exhortatione And again a song resounded, like the voice of a virtutum in adjutorium hominum et in contradictione multitude, exhorting the virtues to help humanity and repugnantium diabolicarum artium clamabat: oppose the inimical arts of the Devil.

Victoria: Victory:

Gaudete, o socii, Rejoice, comrades! The ancient serpent is bound! quia antiquus serpens ligatus est.

Virtutes: Virtues:

Laus tibi Christe, rex angelorum! Praise be to you, O Christ, King of the angels!

Choir: Choir:

RANZGIA! Voices!

31 Hildegard: Hildegard:

Et voces istae erant ut vox multitudinis, cum And these voices were like the voices of a multitude multitudo voces suas in altum extollit. Et sonus lifting up its sound on high. And their song went earum ita pertransivit me, quod eas absque through me, so that I understood them perfectly. difﬁ cultate tarditatis intellexi.

Songs of unity and concord

Choir: Choir:

Quapropter et sonus ille ut vox multitudinis And so that song, like the voice of a multitude, makes in laudibus de supernis gradibus in harmonia music of praise and harmony among the ranks of symphonizat: Heaven. quia symphonia in unanimitate et in concordia For the song of rejoicing, sung in consonance and in gloriam et honorem caelestium civium ruminat, ita concord, tells of the glory and honour of the citizens quod et ipsa hoc sursum tollit quod verbum palam of Heaven, and lifts on high what the Word has profert. shown...

...quia laudes iubilationum in simplicitate unanimitatis ...for jubilant praises, offered in like-minded simplicity et caritatis prolatae ﬁ deles ad unanimitatem illam, and charity, lead the faithful to that consonance ubi nulla discordia est, perducunt, cum eos in terris in which there is no discord, and make those who positos corde et ore ad supernam remunerationem still live on earth sigh with heart and voice for the suspirare faciunt. heavenly reward.

Quapropter quisquis Deum fi deliter intellegit, laudes Therefore, let everyone who understands God by indefessas ei fi deliter offerat eique fi deli devotione faith faithfully offer Him tireless praises, and with incessanter iubilet, joyful devotion sing to Him without ceasing.

Quemadmodum et David servus meus spiritu As my servant David, ﬁ lled with the spirit of lofty profundidatis et altitudinis perfusus de me hortatur profundity, exhorts on My behalf, saying: dicens. Words of David

Laudate eum in sono tubae; Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; laudate eum in psalterio et cithara. praise Him with tthe psaltery and cithara. Laudate eum in cymbalis bene sonantibus; Praise Him on well-sounding cymbals; laudate eum in cymbalis iubilationis. praise Him on cymbals of jubilation; Omnis spiritus laudet Dominum. let every spirit praise the Lord.

Death of Hildegard Act 2 - scene 11

Women from the choir: Women from the choir:

LIMIX, LIMX, LIMIX Light, light, light...

End of Act 2